Nuclear power is currently the electricity production technology with the lowest production costs. Uranium is cheap and its production is broadly diversified geographically and secure over the long term. The electricity generated by a gas-fired combined cycle plant currently costs about 12 centimes per kWh in Switzerland, making it approximately 60 times more expensive than nuclear energy. Nuclear power offers major advantages in terms of climate protection. It scores very well in terms of CO2 emissions, with the lowest level of CO2 output after hydroelectricity. In addition, the new types of generation 3 and 3+ reactors have further increased operational safety.

However, nuclear power also has its disadvantages. To a certain degree, there is a lack of will in Switzerland to build new nuclear power plants. However, a majority of the general population supports the replacement of nuclear power plants at existing sites that are reaching the end of their life cycle. A further challenge is the radioactive waste, which has to be stored over a long period of time. The National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA) has drawn up a concept for the storage of radioactive waste in a deep geological repository and the plan has been approved by the Federal Council. This means that a storage solution is technically feasible.